Under the microscope: The Shepparton North precinct, which will be covered by Greater Shepparton City Council’s structure plan when it is released next year.
Greater Shepparton City Council is being urged to guide the masterplan for the northern shopping precinct to include greater connectivity by foot and bike, as well as creating better road connections for residents in Shepparton North.
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A new report also outlined a list of challenges that would need to be addressed by council’s structure plan for Shepparton North.
It outlined concerns with the current zoning and land use and urged council to take a more active role in providing guidance in developments.
The report also said a single commercial hub would suit the area better than two different sites.
The report, called Issues, Opportunities and Emerging Challenges Paper, is a draft paper open to public consultation, which will help shape council’s structure plan for Shepparton North.
Mesh Liveable Urban Communities prepared the report, which is designed to identify issues that will be tackled in the structure plan.
It is open for community consultation, which will be taken into account before the final report is presented next year.
Two sites have been proposed, one at the current location of Fairleys IGA and one at the intersection of Numurkah Rd and Ford Rd.
“The preference is for a single retail core rather than two nodes,” the report said.
The report said the structure plan needed to provide a response to several challenges, including a lack of co-ordination between sites and a lack of streetscape amenity, as well as being heavily car-dependent.
Consultation: One of the maps in the Issues, Opportunities and Emerging Challenges Paper.
It also called for co-ordination between sites.
“The area is operating as a series of discrete, individual uses rather than a properly functioning, multi-purpose activity centre,” the report said.
The report also called for a core to the precinct to be developed, similar to the function of the Mooroopna central business district and Riverside Plaza in Kialla, and for guidance on the precinct.
The report has called for a more walking- and cycling-friendly design for the entire precinct, which encompasses Hawkins St, Southdown St, Ford Rd, the Goulburn Valley Hwy and John McEwan Reserve, as well as better internal connection for motorists.
The report also addressed five key challenges: what the heart of the structure plan should entail; how communities in and adjoining the plan can be better connected; how the appearance of the centre can be improved; how clarity can be provided around preferred land use; and how direction can be provided to guide proposals at key sites.
Mayor Shane Sali said the structure plan would guide long-term development in Shepparton North.
“The structure plan details a connection between all developments along the Goulburn Valley Hwy, providing for safer traffic and pedestrian movement in the precinct and importantly creating a hub for the north Shepparton community,” he said.
“At this stage we want residents and businesses in the area to have a look at the plan and provide feedback.
“We are encouraging all residents and business owners to get involved in the development of this exciting early phase in the preparation of a structure plan. Now is the time to have your say.”
Council will undertake additional community consultation with relevant landowners, referral authorities and agencies, and other stakeholders on the report.
Council will then consider this item at a future council meeting following the completion of the consultation process.
